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James J. Zogby
I am an Arab and a Decent Man
by James Zogby
Today my office issued the following statement, which includes my comments:
Dr. James Zogby says, "Enough is enough!"
Washington D.C. - October 11, 2008 -We are disturbed by the degree to which 'Arab' has become the metaphorical mud to sling against your opponent. This week, for example the Republican Jewish Coalition released a document in which they use the term Pro-Arab as a pejorative accusation. For his part, Rush Limbaugh has joined in by declaring that Obama is in fact an Arab American. Then, on Friday, after a supporter called Senator Barak Obama "an Arab", Senator John McCain came to the defense of of his political opponent by saying, "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man and citizen..." From this we are left to infer that an Arab man is less then a "decent family man."
Dr. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, says, "Enough is enough! From the beginning of this campaign there have been those who have used Muslim and Arab in an effort to smear Barak Obama. This exploitation of bigotry and the stoking of racist fires to forward an agenda is reprehensible. This is not only offensive to the Arab Americans, but to all Americans. As any ethnic group who has ever been used to scare the electorate knows, this is a dangerous game that tragically can ends with innocent people being hurt.
And while We are pleased to see that the senator is trying to dispel rumors about Senator Obama, but we feel the need to point out that Arab Americans are also decent men and women with the full rights of citizenship as enumerated under the constitution. Arab Americans are part of the great melting pot that is this country's strength. We work towards peace in the Middle East along side our Jewish partners. We raise our sons and daughters to be model citizens of this nation. We serve this country with honor. The suggestion that any ethnic group is treacherous and Anti-American is unacceptable, dangerous, and unbecoming of such a great nation.
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Video of McCain responding to the "He's an Arab" comment:
Ellison and the Qur'an: "a great American story"
James J. Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), describes the debate over Keith Ellison, the first Muslim American elected to Congress, swearing his oath of office on the Qur'an. Explaining the open process by which all elected Congressmen are sworn in, he argues that this act, and indirectly the surrounding debate, in fact demonstrate the beauty of the United States and should be celebrated.
This year, Arabs express pessimism
| James J. Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), compares poll results of the mood in Arab countries. He finds that there is a prevailing sense of pessimism across the region that is distinctly different from last year, and, based on his survey findings, examines some of the reasons behind it. |
Over, for now
| The war on Lebanon is over, but only in a manner of speaking. It was an unnecessary war that left in its wake death, destruction and unresolved issues all around. Listening to the overblown rhetoric emanating from all sides, one doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. From Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's preposterous claim of "unprecedented" accomplishments, to one Arab commentator's horrific pronouncement that "today is a day for celebration and unprecedented joy," - it is all so indecent. by James J. Zogby |
US must act to stop Mideast escalation
While Europe expresses concern and the UN sends a delegation to mediate, the US, the only country that can provide needed restraint, has so far appeared to abdicate its leadership role.
The Bush administration showing some signs of being chastened by its international isolation, needs to shake off the last vestiges of its neoconservative thinking, "creative chaos" which it once believed would usher in democracy has instead brought only anarchy. And the fanciful notion that overwhelming violence would defeat all enemies and be a transformative force has, instead, only yielded more violence and anger in its wake.
Clearly a new direction is required.
by James Zogby
Arab American gets 'Dubai'd'
Sami Merhi was recently endorsed by the Democratic party for the candicy of Freeholder (a county supervisor position). The very next day, a state legislator, Gary Shaer, attacked the endorsement, pointing to a four-year-old New York Times story in which Merhi was quoted as saying that the Sept. 11 attacks on the US were different from terror attacks against Israel.
For four years now, Merhi has insisted that the Times quote was partial and inaccurate. He has made clear that he opposes all forms of terrorism, including attacks on Israeli civilians. But it has been for naught.
by James J. Zogby
Rachel Corrie's words
Three years ago, Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old American peace activist was murdered. She sat down in front of a Palestinian home in Rafah attempting to stop its destruction by an Israeli bulldozer. The bulldozer's driver crushed Rachel, brutally ending her life.
A British theatrical group edited her e-mails and journal entries into a one-woman play, “My Name is Rachel Corrieâ€, which has, since 2005, had two critically acclaimed runs on the London stage. The play has yet to appear in the US and given recent developments the play may never be performed on a major US stage.
by James Zogby
